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James Madison: The Father of Religious Liberty
More than two hundred years later, James Madison’s message still rings there is no liberty without faith.James Madison was a man of quiet faith who was also intellectually inspired in miraculous ways. Often called the Father of the Constitution, Madison believed rights of conscience were gifts of God, and he was thoroughly committed to establishing a nation conceived in liberty. Throughout his life, thousands of seemingly insignificant events and decisions eventually culminated in the formation of one of the most defining traits of this the right to religious freedom.From constitutional scholar Rodney K. Smith, discover how this right became sacred to Madison and how, with a relentlessness borne of faith in God and country, he carefully wove this truth into the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Through Madison’s inspiring story, come to see for yourself proof of God’s hand in the foundation of our nation and the miracles that are still evident in our lives today.
511 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 8, 2023
I'd really like to like this book better, but I can't. I'd give it 2.5 stars if that was an option.
There's a lot of good: the topic is compelling, and very relevant in a time when people on all side of all issues, it seems, want to not only defeat the goals of political opponents, but silence them entirely, banishing "incorrect" voices from the public square.
This attitude, found on both tbe Right and the Left, is unamerican, and a violation of the inalienable right of conscience. Smith doesn't take it on directly, other than very briefly at the end of the book. Instead, he carefully builds the reader's understanding of the principles involved byfollowing Madison's experiences and the way those experiences helped him develop as a thinker and a defender of the right of conscience.
This *ought* to be a brilliant work. It comes close.
But portions are so. very. dry.
I love the Founding, and have tremendous respect for the Founders, and was excited to read this book, which came highly recommended. But I struggled to stay engaged. The portions with a strong narrative work well; I loved reading some of the asides covering some of the other figures Madison interacted with. But expository sections (and some typos) show that the book would have benefitted greatly from a few more revisions. There's a lot in there that's worth reading --but some sections are a slog.
It's too bad: it could have been truly an excellent work.
There's a lot of good: the topic is compelling, and very relevant in a time when people on all side of all issues, it seems, want to not only defeat the goals of political opponents, but silence them entirely, banishing "incorrect" voices from the public square.
This attitude, found on both tbe Right and the Left, is unamerican, and a violation of the inalienable right of conscience. Smith doesn't take it on directly, other than very briefly at the end of the book. Instead, he carefully builds the reader's understanding of the principles involved byfollowing Madison's experiences and the way those experiences helped him develop as a thinker and a defender of the right of conscience.
This *ought* to be a brilliant work. It comes close.
But portions are so. very. dry.
I love the Founding, and have tremendous respect for the Founders, and was excited to read this book, which came highly recommended. But I struggled to stay engaged. The portions with a strong narrative work well; I loved reading some of the asides covering some of the other figures Madison interacted with. But expository sections (and some typos) show that the book would have benefitted greatly from a few more revisions. There's a lot in there that's worth reading --but some sections are a slog.
It's too bad: it could have been truly an excellent work.
August 26, 2019
Interesting book
I enjoyed this book, but it never dealt with the time He was President. I may have missed reading that in the book description. I enjoyed reading about his faith ancc the major part He played in writing the constitution and the Bill if rights.
I enjoyed this book, but it never dealt with the time He was President. I may have missed reading that in the book description. I enjoyed reading about his faith ancc the major part He played in writing the constitution and the Bill if rights.
September 17, 2019
I don't think I could use the word, "inspiring" enough to fully describe this book. This is one of my top 5 books read in 2019. Read my full review for the Deseret News here: https://www.deseret.com/2019/8/19/208...
October 3, 2019
Well-researched biography, focusing on Madison's support for religious liberty.
June 11, 2024
History relevant for today
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the founding of our country and the founding fathers.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the founding of our country and the founding fathers.
August 9, 2021
A good introduction of US Revolutionary history generally, dusted with a bit more depth about Madison's theory of religious liberty. There's a small amount of trying to twist history to fit a modern political dispute, but it's not as prominent or annoying as I expected.
I'd recommend it for its short biographical treatments of a variety of revolutionary figures and its general introduction to the events of the revolution, but it wasn't thorough or deep enough for my tastes.
I'd recommend it for its short biographical treatments of a variety of revolutionary figures and its general introduction to the events of the revolution, but it wasn't thorough or deep enough for my tastes.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews